Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark has transitioned from being a Rookie of the Year contender to an MVP candidate, thanks to her outstanding performance in the WNBA’s second half of the season. Despite facing criticism in the past, her rise to prominence was anticipated by some, including ESPN analyst Rebecca Lobo. Before Clark even entered the WNBA draft in April 2024 as the projected No. 1 pick, Lobo predicted on X (formerly known as Twitter) that Clark would deliver MVP-caliber performances as a rookie if drafted by the Indiana Fever. At that time, Clark was still chasing the NCAA all-time leading scorer’s title.
Initially, Clark faced challenges in adjusting to the WNBA, but she steadily improved her skills and confidence. Her exclusion from the Olympic team this past summer may have further fueled her determination to excel in the league. Currently, Clark leads the WNBA in assists, averaging 8.3 per game, and is on track to potentially break Connecticut Sun forward Alyssa Thomas’s single-season assist record of 316. Additionally, the Fever are approaching their first playoff appearance since 2016.
Despite Clark’s remarkable achievements, the MVP race is still led by Las Vegas Aces star A’ja Wilson, who has delivered impressive performances in her seventh season. Nevertheless, fans have applauded Lobo’s early prediction of Clark’s success.
